Sunday, June 8 - What He Refused to Grasp
While others grasped at equality with God in glorious death, the cross confronts us with a Messiah who embraced shame, refusing to take what belongs only to the Father.
Shepherd’s Note: I was a student at the seminary when this lecture was given.
Fr. Paul Nadim Tarazi’s lecture on the crucifixion challenges contemporary audiences to grapple with the scandalous nature of the cross—a death marked by shame, suffering, and utter vulnerability.
For Paul and Fr. Tarazi, the cross is neither a historical account nor a theological concept but the core of the gospel writ—a reality that upends human notions of honor and wisdom. While the Maccabean “martyrs” died gloriously, celebrated as heroes of the state, Jesus’ death was a scandalous crucifixion—a form of execution reserved for society’s lowest scum.
The temptation to soften this gospel message—twisting it into an incomprehensible “mystery” or a philosophical abstraction—strips it of its power to conquer.
The scandal of the cross is precisely what compels every hearer to submit: either accepting the shame of the crucified Christ and embracing the paradoxical wisdom and glory of God, or rejecting the message entirely.
“Instead of promising heaven, as we do often nowadays to those who are suffering and are persecuted, what the author [of Revelation] did is to do exactly what Paul had done way before him, namely to promise them nothing but the cross of Christ and the conquering through this cross.” — Paul Nadim Tarazi, The Crucifixion
In a culture that values success, strength, and glory, Fr. Tarazi’s insistence on preserving the “stumbling block” calls the Church back to its roots: a Messiah who was crucified, a path of obedience, and a gospel that challenges rather than comforts. It serves as a reminder that the Christian faith is not a safe haven from suffering but a call to share in Christ’s shame—and through that, his glory.
Iron Sharpens Iron
Fr. Aaron Warwick
Fr. Aaron and Jason Ewertt host Teach Me Thy Statutes on the Ephesus School Network.
Fr. Fred Shaheen
Fr. Fred hosts A Light to the Nations on the Ephesus School Network.'
The lexicology of ji 及
Shepherd’s note: Matthew’s thought-provoking essay bridges classical Chinese lexicology and Semitic linguistic parallels, offering an enriching perspective on the evolution of the Chinese lexeme 及 (ji). Through careful references to the Book of Odes, he demonstrates 及’s multifaceted function—from “to see” to “to attain” to “to accompany.” Equally compelling are his biblical references—Genesis 32:25, Isaiah 5:8, Isaiah 8:8, Esther 4:3, and Lamentations 2:2—which illustrate the similar semantic development of the Semitic root נ-ג-ע (n-g-ʿ). As always, his essay invites readers to reflect on linguistic parallels and the rich tapestry of human language.
Striving After Wind ( רַעְיוֺן רוּחַ) — Ecclesiastes, Daniel, and an Excursus on Avestan Literature
Shepherd’s Note: Blaise Webster’s latest Substack post skillfully weaves together biblical texts, linguistic insights, and Avestan literature to illustrate the futility of human striving and the divine subversion of earthly power. Through his comparative approach, Blaise highlights the enduring relevance of pastoral imagery—an emblem of humility and divine purpose—across cultures. This piece invites readers to ponder how ancient wisdom traditions continue to challenge modern assumptions about leadership and power.
The Cost of Conscience
I have written a lot about the heart-piercing trials and tragedies of Palestinians for a long time.
I have treated every word of every column that has appeared on this page, devoted to Palestine’s precarious fate and the indefatigable souls who refuse to abandon it, as an obligation and a duty.